Set in the 18th
century, when the fantastic wealth produced from the diamond trade transformed Brazil into
a decadent hothouse, Carlos Diegues' comedy concerns Xica (Zeze Motta), a beautiful black
slave who uses her sexual charm and savvy to benefit from Brazil's economic emergence.
Xica ascends to the role of unofficial Empress, gleefully mocking her former masters while
stockpiling newly found assets and power. "The film marks Diegues as one of Brazil's
most innovative directors, who speaks his piece with exuberance, wit and style" (San
Francisco Chronicle). With Walmor Chagas, Jose Wilker, Marcus Vinicius and Altair
Lima. Portuguese with English subtitles.
109 minutes.